Having lived in Los Angeles, the Bay Area, and now New York City, I've been surrounded by no dearth of amazing food options. The food scenes across the US are simply among the best in the world, and people everywhere flock here to find creative and delicious food.

Since you can rarely ever meet the chefs and masterminds behind the food, their cookbooks give you an opportunity to peek into their brains and learn more about the process. Whether you've eaten at the restaurant and love the food so much you want another way to remember the experience, or you've only ever pined after pictures and reviews online, your foodie heart and stomach will appreciate the following books.

Neighborhood cheap eats, small dessert shops, and Michelin-starred fine dining establishments alike have accompanying books to drool over. While some of these books contain recipes that are quite involved for the regular home cook, at the very least they provide great inspiration for your own culinary adventures.

The 27 cookbooks below come from some of America's best restaurants, eateries, and bakeries and truly represent the country's diverse tastes.

Tartine

Amazon

Lines go out the door no matter what time of the day or week you visit this San Francisco bakery. Just like you can't decide on any one pastry to buy, you won't be able to choose which recipe to make first: Will it be the flaky croissants, Brioche Bread Pudding, Lemon Cream Tart, or Chocolate Chiffon Cake?

Shake Shack

Amazon

Before you get too excited, no, this book does not contain the actual recipes for the burger or the famous sauce, but it will get you pretty close to the real deal. You can make delicious burgers, fries, and shakes at home, then conduct the classic Shake Shack vs. In-n-Out comparison.

Alinea

Amazon

The recipes from this distinctive three Michelin-starred Chicago restaurant are grouped by season. The book also comes with access to a website featuring video demonstrations, interviews, and an online forum that allows readers to interact with Achatz, a former The French Laundry sous chef, and his team.

Momofuku Milk Bar

Amazon

Christina Tosi's creative desserts play on your childhood favorites, from the Compost Cookie and Crack Pie to the famous Cereal Milk Ice Cream and "unfinished" layer cakes. If you're looking for fun indulgence, this cookbook is it.

Dominique Ansel

Amazon

You know him for the Cronut that took New York and the rest of the world by storm, but Ansel also makes plenty of other delicious pastries. The book is split into three sections by experience level, so you can move through madeleines, macarons, and Kouign Amanns as you see fit.

Chez Panisse

Amazon

It's impossible to talk about California cuisine without mentioning Alice Waters. Fresh, seasonal vegetables are the name of the game and are essential to the menu at her Berkeley restaurant. You'll see why vibrant, quality vegetables are the friend, not the enemy after cooking with these recipes.

The French Laundry

Amazon

This three Michelin-starred Napa Valley restaurant has been dazzling visitors with its two nine-course tasting menus for more than two decades. Learn from chef and proprietor Thomas Keller how to make the refined and focused dishes that made The French Laundry so famous.

Lemonade

Amazon

Pair one of these salads, sandwiches, or stews with a tart, fruity lemonade, and you have a lunch that will make all your coworkers jealous. Fans of this Los Angeles staple will have fun recreating their favorite dishes.

State Bird Provisions

Amazon

The dishes are brought to you dim sum service-style at this trendy, popular restaurant, so you'll fill up your table with a variety of delicious flavors and textures before you know it. Try your hand at Fried Pork Belly, Spicy Yuba Noodles, Sweet Corn Tres Leches Cake, and more in your own home kitchen.

Grand Central Market

Amazon

This legendary food hall features a melting pot of vendors — whatever you're craving, Grand Central Market has it. Make some carnitas tacos, curry udon, and pressed juice, then settle in to learn about the market's rich history.

The Cheese Board

Amazon

In 2016, the highest-rated pizza place in America according to Yelp was Cheese Board, which produces only one type of vegetarian pizza a day and also makes fresh bread and cheese right next door. This book of over 100 recipes is the ultimate carb party.

Cúrate

Amazon

Some of the best Spanish food in the country can be found in Asheville, North Carolina at tapas bar Cúrate. Chef Katie Button dropped out of PhD program to pursue her passion for cooking, and thousands of satisfied diners have thanked her since.

The Gramercy Tavern

Amazon

If you can't snag a reservation at this New York institution, the cookbook brings you right into its dining room and kitchen. Feast on Fresh Spinach Fettuccine, Duck Confit, and Roasted Almond Panna Cotta.

Myers+Chang

Amazon

The marriage of chef Joanne Chang and restaurateur Christopher Myers resulted in a child called Myers+Chang, an Asian fusion restaurant in Boston that brings the best of both their worlds together. Think Grilled Corn with Spicy Sriracha Butter, Braised Bulgogi BBQ Sloppy Joes, and other cool combinations.

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